A bill banning smoking in cafés and restaurants has been given a formal first reading in Parliament by 115 to 43, a majority of 72.

The Smoking (Restaurants) Bill was introduced by Gareth Thomas, Lab., Harrow West, under the 10-minute rule motion and had cross-party support from over 100 MPs.

Thomas said that both medical and scientific evidence confirmed the health hazards caused by so-called second hand smoke and he was of the opinion that a ban might even increase restaurant owners' sales and reduce their costs.

The proposal was met with cries of disgraceful and nanny state from the Conservatives but due to lack of Parliamentary time it stands little chance of actually becoming law.